Robert C. Sweeney, former President & Business Manager of Iron Workers 399 and the father of Senate President Stephen Sweeney and New Jersey State AFL-CIO Vice President Richard Sweeney, has died.

Robert Sweeney served as the President & Business Manager of Local 399 for 25 years, retiring on December 1, 2012. Both Steve and Richard carried on their father’s legacy and leadership within the local serving as Financial Secretary-Treasurer and President & Business Manager, respectively.

Robert Sweeney was a lifelong trade unionist.

“Robert Sweeney embodied the values that we work every day to uphold, and our entire labor family mourns his passing,” said AFL-CIO in a statement. “His dedication as a trade unionist instilled in his children the values that continue to strengthen our entire labor movement, ensuring that his memory lives on. We will notify all affiliates of funeral arrangements so that they may pay their respects to our departed brother and his family.”